Actress, filmmaker and longtime DIANI friend, Finola Hughes, sat down to chat with Santa Barbara Magazine about work, play and fashion for their Best of 2013 issue. When asked what she'll be wearing this year Finola replied: "Anything and everything from my friend Caroline's genius store, DIANI. I favor Isabel Marant cowboy boots, shirts and slouchy jeans. I'm [also] marginally obsessed with Raquel Allegra dresses and tees, Velvet leggings and rag & bone boots, jeans and jackets."

To read the rest of Finola's interview, be sure to pick up Santa Barbara Magazine's "Best of 2013" issue!

Finola Hughes in Santa Barbara Magazine, Best of Style 2013

Shop Finola's Picks

Isabel Marant Edith Top in Burgundy - $1,180.00 // MORE INFO: 1.877.342.6474 or customercare@dianiboutique.com

rag & bone Bishop Trench in Khaki - $1,200.00 // MORE INFO: 1.877.342.6474 or customercare@dianiboutique.com

Isabel Marant Dicker Boot in Camel Brown - $600.00

In honor of DIANI's tenth anniversary we asked Owner & Buyer, Caroline, to share ten fun facts you may not know about DIANI. Scroll down for the inside scoop!

DIANI Owner & Buyer, Caroline Diani

DIANI Boutique lifestyle inspiration

1. Tell us a little about the lifestyle/inspiration board above. It was the "launch point" for what I imagined the DIANI brand to be. To this day it continues to be a source of inspiration. I also created several other boards you can view here and here!

2. How did you feel the first day you opened, were you scared/excited/etc? I remember feeling really exited but frustrated because I didn't have all the inventory I wanted. I was still in the process of ordering from designers I liked and because I opened in the middle of a season, I was scrambling to find merchandise. I wasn't expecting to find the perfect space as quickly as I did!

3. What was the first item you sold, or your first customer? I don't remember exactly, but one of my first sales was a Nicole Farhi cape cardigan that I sold to a dear customer, Robin Bartling. She's still a dear customer and still has that piece, I think.

4. Is there a designer we've carried here since day one? Nicole Farhi

5. Do you remember the first publication you advertised in? Santa Barbara Magazine. The magazine really helped get our name out into the community.

6. What made you realize, or when did you realized you wanted to expand into online retail? It happened pretty soon after opening, but, as with everything, it took time to design and build the site. We were getting a lot of out-of-town customers who wanted that convenience, but also convinced us that there were so many people in other states who didn't have access to boutiques like DIANI. I also have quite a following in England since I'm from there. It's amazing how much the site has grown and how many countries we ship to now. I'm exited to launch our new and improved site this month. A double celebration!

7. What's the best part of having a business? Really, the best part has been creating a family of brilliantly talented and beautiful souls. I came about this thinking it was all about the clothes and honestly it's about the relationships and nurturing them.

8. Where do you get inspiration from? Customers inspire me. We have such savvy women who shop with us. I also love traveling and taking the time to sit and observe the locals. It's how I'm able to identify and predict trends.

9. What's next? That's a great question. We'll see, but I'm really loving my blog, dianiliving.com. It's such a fun creative outlet and is allowing me to catalogue my life in a really cool way.

10. If you had to pick one thing that you learned from running a business, what would that be? Patience. I've always been a hard worker, but patience has never been my forte. You have to have it in order to succeed. Sticking with the vision, even if it doesn't always go your way or happen on your schedule is key, I think.

Are you ready for this...? On Thursday, October 11th, we're hosting our FIRST EVER Equipment shopping event. Equipment blouses and sweaters are a wardrobe staple -- you can never have too many. Come stock up with us, you won't regret it!

Who: DIANI & Equipment

What: Shopping Event

When: Thursday, October 11th, 10AM - 7PM

Where: DIANI Boutique. 1324 State Street, Santa Barbara CA

Why: For the love of fashion!

Equipment Signature Shirt in Peacoat Multi - $220.00 // Shop: DIANI Boutique or 1.877.342.6474

Equipment Sloan Crew in Ivory - $270.00 // Shop: DIANI Boutique or 1.877.342.6474

Equipment Asher V-Neck in Black - $290.00 // Shop: DIANI Boutique or 1.877.342.6474

Equipment Ella Cardigan in Mulberry - $340.00 // Shop: DIANI Boutique or 1.877.342.6474

Equipment Ella Cardigan in Fern Green - $340.00 // Shop: DIANI Boutique or 1.877.342.6474

If you've been following us on Facebook and Twitter, you know we've been counting down the days until our Fashion's Night Out event that we're co-hosting with Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent! The Santa Barbara News-Press caught wind of our excitement and did a write-up on the event in their Salon & Style section.

We think DIANI girl/Event Coordinator, Kelly, summed it up perfectly when she told the News Press: "It's a really great way to involve basically everyone who loves fashion (and get) into the swing of fall. New York Fashion Week just kind of brings the fashion community together and (gives) us a chance to celebrate, even though we can't actually be in New York."

Scroll down to read the full article! Also, be sure to join us TONIGHT for Fashion's Night Out from 6PM to 11PM at DIANI Boutique. (Click here for all of the details.)

DIANI Boutique's Fashion's Night Out event, co-hosted with Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, is featured in the September 3rd issue of the Santa Barbara News-Press.

"It's really cool that we'll be sharing the evening with Cynthia Vincent," Kelly Gallagher, marketing coordinator for DIANI, told the News-Press. "She does amazing designs (that are) really easy to wear."

Cynthia Vincent on DIANI: "DIANI is a really fantastic store and I have a very large customer base there that are loyal," Ms. Vincent said. "I wanted to give them a reason to shop."

Cynthia Vincent on the inspiration behind her Fall 2012 collection: "It's not necessarily the '70s, but I'm looking at older Venice in terms of... brighter colors mixed with pastels."

DIANI Owner & Buyer, Caroline, is featured today over on SBDIGS.com. The go-to source for all things Santa Barbara gives us a sneak peek into Caroline's beachy abode. Caroline also discusses her style philosophy and her vision for DIANI Boutique! To view the entire article please visit SBDIGS.com.

For more on Caroline be sure to subscribe to her blog, diani living!

Owner & Buyer, Caroline Diani, featured on SBDIGS.com

DIANI Owner & Buyer, Caroline, in her Santa Barbara home

 

Life is hectic! That is something former investment banker and co-founder of TRUFFLE, Maria Harrington, knows way too well. Maria and her business partner, Sarah Cusumano, created TRUFFLE with one goal in mind: To organize women's over-stuffed, chaotic handbags. The end result was their No1 Clarity Pouch, a transparent case that is sturdy, spacious, and resilient. 

When shopping website beso asked Maria what other items help her feel effortlessly pulled together she gave DIANI and one of our favorite brands, Linea Pelle, a mention! Of LP's Welted Bangles she says: "I love stacking these on my arm. I get them from DIANI, which is my favorite boutique in Santa Barbara!" Maria also went on to mention her love of Fresco towels, another DIANI staple!

Are you ready to get organized also? Click HERE to shop TRUFFLE and HERE to pick up some Linea Pelle bangles for yourself.

Linea Pelle Welted Bangle with Studs in Pink - $75.00

Every time we visit Golden White Decor, bloggers Lauren and Marika bowl us over with their amazing SoCal style. Lauren's recent monochromatic outfit is both glamorous and casual  -- just like Santa Barbara! Also, we have to commend her on the details, the pops of pink and her white manicure totally make the look. 

Lauren did most of her shopping for this outfit right here at DIANI. Of her trip to our boutique she writes, "DIANI is an exquisite find with unique pieces that are perfect for a casual Cali afternoon or an awaited exotic getaway." 

Scroll down to shop Lauren's look and visit Golden White Decor for more photos! 

Image via Golden White Decor

Rag & Bone Silver Tuxedo Jacket in Ivory - $495.00
Rag & Bone Leonard Dress in Ivory - $415.00
Eugenia Kim Max Feather Fedora - $174.00
Anya Hindmarch Valorie Clutch - SOLD OUT
Rachel Lee Necklace - SOLD OUT

SHOP ALL: DIANI Boutique or 1.877.342.6474/customercare@dianiboutique.com

Images via Golden White Decor

10Best.com is the web's go-to source for insider travel guides. In essence, they highlight the things really worth doing and seeing when you're on the road! 10Best writer Geneva Ives recently featured DIANI as one of Santa Barbara's must-see boutiques. Ives described DIANI as a "calm haven for beachy fashionistas" that features clothing with a "sophisticated yet relaxed vibe." We think she described us to a tee! 

Image courtesy of 10Best.com

To read Geneva's full article click here

805 Living rounded up the best spring fashion has to offer for their March 2012 issue. Scroll down to check out DIANI's and Owner/Buyer Caroline Diani's mentions in the mag.

Santa Barbara stylist Dani Stone posing for her 805 Magazine feature in DIANI Boutique. Dani is wearing Isabel Marant Willow Sneakers, the Rag & Bone Hart Biker Jacket (SOLD OUT) and Isabel Marant On The Road and Janis Skull bracelets.

Caroline Diani on what's hot for Spring: "Pairing one or two brightly colored accent pieces (be it shoes, a bag, or a blouse) with a neutral-hued outfit is an easy way to work the color trend for spring."

Each year, Santa Barbara Magazine compiles their "Best Of" issue packed with hot picks, expert tips and need to know places and faces. Amongst their "Best Of Style, Fashion Notes" feature is DIANI! "DIANI is Brit-born Caroline Diani's beachy boutique that carries contemporary designers such as Elizabeth and James, Vanessa Bruno and Inhabit," the mag writes. Scroll down for a closer look at the feature!

We're excited to share our latest advertisement featuring longtime DIANI favorite, MiH Jeans! This striking ad can be viewed in the Summer 2011 issue of Santa Barbara Magazine. To shop the latest from MiH, and many other lines, shop our website or come see us today.

Journalist Shannon Brooks of Santabarbaraca.com, the go-to visitor's guide for Santa Barbara, has named DIANI as her "hands-down... top go-to boutique" in the city! We're especially proud that she mentioned our DIANI girls "couldn't be nicer or more helpful", as that's what we strive for every day. To read Shannon's write-up on DIANI and her other favorite Santa Barbara boutiques, click here.

Hanii Y has arrived at DIANI, and the new Spring collection is looking oh so delicious. Hanii Y's exquisite handcrafting and unexpected embellishments shine through in its Tafetta Silk Cardigan (above, right), available at DIANI in beige and navy.

The Hanii Y Short Trench Coat (above, left) is our Obsession of the Week, and the sexy blue-mini Hanii Y Strapless Jersey Dress (below, right) is super soft and will let your shoulders get some of that Santa Barbara spring sunshine. Pair it with the Pedro García Patty Wishbone Heels and you'll be starting 2010 in true DIANI style!

Stop by DIANI Boutique on State St. in the Arlington Plaza or shop online for new Hanii Y.

At DIANI Boutique, we're not here to wage the war on Crackberrys vs iPhones - that's your cellular call.

But if you are an Apple slinging, App'd-out playing, iPhone user - you must meet the new accessory from local Santa Barbara designer Kendall Conrad. Kendall Conrad is the femme fatale of leather accessories and handbags and her chic, stylish iPhone cases are almost enough of a reason to buy the gadget alone.

Believe it! Vogue picked it as a "Need It Now" earlier this month. Check it out. If you need no further persuasion from high fashion propaganda, you can buy the Kendall Conrad iPhone Case online or visit DIANI Shoes.